At My Cancer My Choices, we’re dedicated to providing holistic support to people living with cancer.
Claire Rhodes
CEO
“I am thrilled to join My Cancer My Choices in its mission to offer the choice of complementary therapy support to every person with cancer in Berkshire, and to be continuing the delivery of a bright, sustainable future for the organisation. I am privileged to be part of the fantastic team of staff and volunteers who are making a real difference to local people’s mental and physical health when they go through their cancer journey. It is an honour to play a role in improving the wellbeing of our valued service users.”
Our CEO, Claire Rhodes, joins My Cancer My Choices with a wealth of experience, having worked in charities across Berkshire and Oxfordshire for 10 years, including in fundraising at Daisy’s Dream and Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice, and as manager of a community hub. Previously she has worked in PR, marketing, and events, and was Head of Conferences for some major institutions. In her younger days, she spent two years living in Japan, teaching English. She now lives locally to our Charvil Hub, with her family.
Katie Ellis
THERAPIES MANAGER
“I am excited to work for MCMC and being part of a team who are committed to the wellbeing of cancer patients. I look forward to supporting our wonderful team of volunteer therapists, ensuring they feel valued in their work.”
Katie Ellis joined our charity as Therapies Manager in July 2024. With a robust background as a retail buyer, Katie brings extensive experience in business management. In 2020, Katie pursued a passion for helping others by becoming a qualified Mindfulness coach, earning a certification in ‘Integrated Mindfulness and Compassion.’ Following her qualification, she dedicated some of her leisure time to volunteering at South Bucks day hospice, where she led mindfulness courses for patients, carers, and staff. Demonstrating a commitment to charitable causes, Katie also climbed Mount Etna to raise funds for a good cause. Outside of her professional and volunteer work, Katie is an avid gardener, particularly growing flowers from seed, and finds joy in yoga and walking her beloved Cockapoo.
Claire Orr
SERVICE DELIVERY MANAGER
“At My Cancer My Choices we care about the wellbeing of an individual not the cancer! I am always inspired by the clients we see every day, their strength and resilience is humbling. To see the positive impact our complementary therapies provide is extraordinary. I feel privileged to work with our incredible clients and our amazing volunteers.”
Claire joined the charity in November 2022 bringing with her extensive experience in managing projects, people and optimising processes and procedures, having worked within Corporate and third sector environments. 10 years ago, Claire retrained as a counsellor and provides voluntary bereavement support for a national bereavement charity. In her spare time Claire enjoys volunteering as a rowing coach.
Dee Malan
MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Dee joined My Cancer My Choices as a marketing communications officer in November 2023 after immigrating from South Africa in July of the same year. Prior to this, she owned a successful marketing agency, amassing extensive experience in corporate marketing communications. Outside work, Dee generously devotes her free time to volunteering as a marketing advisor for a children’s home in South Africa. Beyond her professional achievements, she’s a qualified BASI Pilates instructor and finds joy in dancing, theatre, and reading.
Jessica Worsley
RELATIONSHIP AND FUNDRAISING MANAGER
Jessica joined My Cancer My Choices at the start of 2025 and brings with her many years of relationship building experience having worked across numerous sectors in the marketing, business development and fundraising fields. She previously worked in fundraising for a children’s charity based in Surrey, prior to which she worked for a number of large professional services firms. Jessica lives in Berkshire with her family and when not walking the Chiltern Hills with her dog, enjoys visits to the theatre and concerts.
Alison Grieve
Chair
“I believe My Cancer My Choices is an inspirational charity and I’m very fortunate to be able to work with it to help expand it to meet the needs of more patients.”
A business leader, HR professional, facilitator and executive coach, Alison brings her expertise to My Cancer My Choices to support the Trust as it grows to benefit increasing numbers of people.
Alison has seen at first-hand how a diagnosis of cancer impacts people, and the feelings of shock, isolation and loss of control many experience. She is also aware of how the provision of complementary therapies supports people in areas that standard medicine does not, and from feedback, the huge benefits.
Alison commented, “It’s wonderful to see how much people are getting from the complementary therapies, whether it’s just a moment of ‘me’ time, some relaxation, removal of some tension or specific aches and a sense of control for a few moments. Over time people return and it helps.”
Mandy Barter
CO-FOUNDER, TRUSTEE
“I was studying acupuncture when diagnosed with cancer in 2009. It was the shock, fear, isolation and uncertainty which came with the cancer diagnosis that was the most difficult to come to terms with. I had complementary therapy throughout my conventional treatment and it helped me feel I was taking back control of my health. I was making decisions to help myself and that is empowering.”
In 2014, Mandy and Liz Lee founded My Cancer My Choices with the goal of supporting people diagnosed with cancer by providing free complementary treatments and information on how to live well with cancer.
Today Mandy enjoys sharing the benefits of complementary therapy with a growing audience, and supporting our volunteer therapists through training and continuing professional development. She is passionate about providing a professional and accessible service that benefits people at a significantly difficult time.
Lynn McLeish
Trustee
“My Cancer My Choices provides a service which gives a rare positive experience after diagnosis and during the rigours of treatment – I wanted to make sure more people experience that.”
Lynn became involved in the Charity in 2016, becoming a Trustee the following year.
Beginning her career as a nurse, Lynn moved into the independent health sector, gaining many years of strategic, business and management experience in senior roles, which she brings to My Cancer My Choices.
Rob Goddard
Trustee
“It’s an honour to be involved with such a wonderful cause that touches so many lives each year. Like most people, I know many people affected by cancer and so I want to be involved with the fantastic work of My Cancer My Choices, in order to help make difference to other people’s lives.”
Rob has spent the past 40 years in business, both in the corporate world and for the past decade as an Entrepreneur – starting and growing four successful businesses in the UK and overseas.
As a charity worker, he has run an international food ministry feeding and clothing more than 7,000 people a year in the United States and Mexico. Nearer to home, Rob has served as a School Governor on three occasions – for nursery, primary and secondary schools’ provision in Hampshire, working closely with the local authority to help provide a first-class environment for the education and wellbeing of thousands of children.
Combining commercial success with his passion to make a positive difference to people’s lives has been a hallmark of Rob’s life.
Anne Thomas
Volunteer Oncology Massage & Reflexology Therapist
“I get more from being a volunteer than I give. I have a sense of being involved in something wonderful.”
A holistic therapist and teacher for more than 16 years, Anne has been volunteering with us since 2016. Like many people, she was concerned that she might not be emotionally resilient enough to cope with what she imagines could be difficult situations.
However, Anne was amazed at the positivity, sensitivity and the feelings of warmth and compassion she’s encountered. She says she feels “blessed and privileged” to be involved with My Cancer My Choices. “I have never been involved in an organisation where I have felt so valued and supported.”
Tony Smith
Treasurer
“Looking after other people’s money with care, planning ahead and addressing risk have been at the centre of work life and carry over very well into the role of Treasurer for a charity. I’ve been an active member of Rotary for 30+ years and been involved in Fund Raising, Community Service projects, organising Conferences and picking up all kinds of unexpected skills along the way.”
Tony has spent his entire working life in financial services, starting out with Nationwide Building Society then a Founder Partner with St. James’s Place Wealth Management in 1991. Retiring from SJP in 2004, Tony set up a mortgage broking business with his wife Christine which was intended to be part time and keep him out of mischief. Tony finally retired properly in February 2021.
Lindsey Barker
Trustee
“ I am grateful for the opportunity to support the innovative work of My Cancer My Choices, meeting a growing demand for complementary therapies in cancer patients”
Lindsey joined the charity in 2023, having retired as a Consultant Physician and Kidney Specialist at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. She held many medical leadership roles, eight years at board level and latterly as Executive Medical Director.
She served on several regional committees addressing wider health issues, including the Thames Valley Cancer Alliance. With a particular interest in education and research, the University of Reading awarded her an honorary doctorate in recognition of joint working.
Richard Brown
Trustee
“Cancer can affect all our lives and I know I would want the help and support of a charity such as My Cancer My Choices to help me. Being involved is an opportunity to show what can be done to support those in need”
An oncologist working at the Berkshire Cancer Centre for over eighteen years, Richard strongly believes in the value in complementary therapy in helping people to get the best possible outcomes from their treatment.
A qualified medic and yoga teacher, there is no reason why conventional and complementary medicine cannot work well together to relieve some of the worries and strains that a diagnosis and treatment can bring.
Emma Hogbin
Trustee
“I have been fortunate enough to see how so many patients have benefitted from the fantastic work that MCMC offer, and am now grateful to have the opportunity to support them in expanding their services to reach more patients.”
Emma joined as a trustee in December 2023, bringing with her over 20 years of invaluable experience in the healthcare sector. With a background spanning across four NHS trusts, she has served in various capacities, including Ward Sister, Research Nurse leading clinical trials, and Clinical Nurse Specialist in Upper Gastrointestinal Cancers. For the past two years, she has been the lead nurse running the rehab and wellbeing team, where she has developed services to include prehabilitation support for cancer patients across Berkshire. Committed to a holistic approach, she empowers patients to choose a more personalised care plan, aligning with our mission at MCMC to provide complementary therapies to relieve side effects of cancer and its treatment.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, she has built close working relationships with a wide range of local charities, including MCMC, gaining valuable insights into the charity sector. She integrates this knowledge with the current oncology operations, focus, and priorities of her Healthcare Trust. Outside of her professional commitments, she enjoys spending time with her family, housing and training Hearing Dogs for the Deaf for the past 17 years, cycling with family and friends, and currently indulges in cold water swimming.
